Haiti's Next Threat: Malaria And Other Infectious Diseases

Just when we thought we had nothing more to worry about in Haiti now there is talk of a potential outbreak of malaria, dengue, and typhoid in Haiti.

Haiti Orphans

This is a serious issue.

If you don't think is serious enough read this:

The World Health Organization recently reported that more and more cases of respiratory infections are popping up in health clinics around Haiti replacing trauma an injury.

Six days after the earthquake, CNN released an article forecasting the potential for outbreaks of diarrheal disease, respiratory infection, cholera, meningitis, even the H1N1 flu in Haiti due to the fact that tens of thousands of people would be homeless.

I think you'll agree with me that conditions in Haiti were already bad before the earthquake.

Now that there are tent cities all over the place with "Cite Soleil" conditions, and outbreak of respiratory infections, malaria, and order type of infectious diseases is not what one would wish for but unfortunately it may become a deadly reality.

Are you safe?

Just because you don't live in a tent city, just because you are better off then your brothers and sisters in these tent cities, it does not mean you are safe.

I did some research to find out how malaria spreads, here's what I found out:

The good news is...

Malaria cannot be spread between humans, so don't be afraid to shake hands and interact in Haiti...

The bad news is...

If you are bitten by a mosquito in Haiti, you are at risk my friend...

Malaria is transmitted by female mosquitoes and, with so many pools of dirty, nasty, filthy, discusting water laying around in Port-au-Prince, these female mosquitoes will have lots of little mosquito babies that will grow up carrying the disease.

My fellow Haitians, we need to clean up Haiti or perish.

Question:

In your opinion, what is the quickest way to avoid and/or prevent an outbreak of Malaria and other infectious diseases in Haiti?

Post our comments below.

Write a comment | Read 2 Comments